parashah Pinchas

As per G‑d's command, the land of Israel was to be divided amongst all those who were counted in this census. The location of each tribe's portion would be determined by lottery. The tribe of Levi is now counted. There were 23,000 Levite males above the age of one month. The daughters of Zelophehad approached Moshè and stated that their father had died leaving behind only daughters. They requested to receive their father's portion in the land of Israel. Moshè relayed their request to G‑d.

Decorated pots with portions of land 

Cactus flower pots decorated with differente floral paper and twine to represent the portions of land.

Drawing portions of the Land of Yisrael

Lavander time

Home garden lavender harvest

Israel Shape

Hand painted Israel clay shape

Ma tovu (parashah Balak)

 Balak takes Balaam to another place, hoping that Balaam can curse the Jews from there. For a third time they build altars and bring offerings, and for a third time, only blessings issue from Balaam's mouth: "How goodly are your tents, O Yaacov, your dwelling places, O Israel! ... G‑d, who has brought them out of Egypt with the strength of His loftiness He shall consume the nations which are his adversaries ... Those who bless them shall be blessed, and those who curse them shall be cursed." At this point, Balak despairs of accomplishing his goal, and sends Balaam on his way.

Felt abstract tents of Yaacov - Yisrael encampment

ispiration for the felt modules from The Purl Bee

 

parashah Balak

Balaam leaves together with the Moabite dignitaries. G‑d sends an angel with a drawn sword to block Balaam's path. While Balaam couldn't see the angel, the she-donkey he was riding did, and refused to move onwards, causing Balaam to strike her. The donkey miraculously speaks, admonishing Balaam for striking her. Eventually, G‑d "opens Balaam's eyes," and he sees the angel.

Balaam Donkey paper jointed puppet

download the donkey here

Tammuz

Yerushalayim paintings on clay

parashah Chukat

G‑d tells Moshè and Aaron to take a staff and gather the people in front of a certain rock. They should speak to the rock, and it will give forth water. Moshè and Aaron gather everybody, and Moshè strikes the rock and it gives forth water. In the course of this episode they committed a grave error, the conventional explanation being that they struck the rock instead of speaking to it. This caused G‑d to punish Moshè and Aaron, barring them from leading the Jews into Israel. 

 Water painted rocks

Spilling water from rocks painted by children

Parashah Korach

G‑d tells Moshè to take a staff from each of the twelve tribes, with the name of each tribe's prince written upon their staff. Another staff was taken to represent the tribe of Levi, and Aaron's name was written on that staff. These staffs were placed overnight in the Holy of Holies chamber of the Tabernacle. Next morning they were removed, and miraculously Aaron's staff had budded with almond blossoms and almonds. This was further proof that Aaron was G‑d's choice for High Priest. 
G‑d commands Moses to return "Aaron's staff" to the Holy of Holies, where it is to remain for perpetuity.

 Aaron's staff, manna and the Tablets

 

parashah Shelach

Moshè sends scouts to Canaan and all of them,  except Yeoshua  and Calev,  bring back frightening reports. The people react fearfully and rebelliously. 
G‑d allows Moshè to send scouts to reconnoiter the land of Canaan in preparation for their anticipated invasion of the land. One member of every tribe , with the exception of the tribe of Levi , was chosen for this task. Moshè instructed the scouts to bring back a report regarding the nature of the land; its strengths and weaknesses. He also instructed them to bring back samples of the land's produce. They returned to the Israelite encampment with specimens of Canaan's produce, and with an ominous report.

Land of Yisrael wall hanging clay map

 Land of Yisrael wall hanging clay map, handmade and painted.

Noach's ark themed birthaday candle holders

Animals themed candle holders

parashah Behaalotecha

At G‑d's behest, Moshè makes two trumpets, and is instructed how and when to use them
These trumpets were used for several purposes: 
1) To assemble the nation or its leaders. 
2) To signal the beginning of a journey. 
3) The trumpets were blown when the Jews went to battle. 
4) The trumpets were sounded when certain communal sacrifices were offered in the Tabernacle.

 Silver trumpets

Aluminum foils and cardboard trumpets